June 15, 2012
Pac-12 Release
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. - Arizona State seniors Katelyn Boyd and Giulia Molinaro were named Pac-12 Scholar Athletes of the Year, the conference announced Friday.
Molinaro, a three-time first team Pac-12 All-Academic, holds a 3.63 GPA in recreation and tourism management at Arizona State. The senior was named the 2012 Pac-12 Golfer of the Year, only the fourth golfer in Arizona State history to earn the title.
One of the most improved golfers in the nation, Molinaro led all Pac-12 golfers with a 72.33 scoring average, which is almost three shots better than her scoring average of 75.00 from the previous season. The National Golf Coaches Association (NGCA) recognized Molinaro's accomplishments this season, naming her a first-team All-American. She was also named first-team All-Pac-12 Conference.
A native of Villorba, Italy, Molinaro recorded eight top-10 finishes on the season and never finished outside the top 20 in competition. Her scoring average of 72.33 is the second lowest recorded in the NCAA on the season according to Golfstat and the senior is ranked fourth overall in the nation according to the Golfweek/Sagarin Index.
Boyd had one of the most storied careers in the softball program, being a three-time All-American and two-time Academic All-American. In 2012 she picked up the inaugural Pac-12 Batting Champion title after being Top 5 in the conference in eight categories.
The senior finished her career ranked in the Top 5 in ASU career records in six categories and Top 25 in single-season marks in five areas. At the conclusion of her time at ASU, Boyd's name appears 25 times in the Sun Devil record book and also holds the No. 1 spot in career RBI (236) and doubles (60).
A few of Boyd's top distinctions include: 3x All-American, 2x Academic All-American, 3x First Team Pac-12 All-Academic, 3x First Team All Pac-12, 2x USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Top 3 Finalist, and in 2012 a Lowe's Senior CLASS Award Finalist, and USA Softball Elite Team member.